During the last 50 years, "St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has remained focused on pioneering research and advance treatments that will one day cure childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. Since opening in 1962 by late entertainer and hospital founder Danny Thomas, its researchers and doctors have helped push overall survival rates of childhood cancer from 20 to 80 percent. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children."